The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) continues to take a firm stand on the protection of road reserves along national highways. These spaces are not empty land waiting for occupation. They are part of a long term public investment meant for future road expansion, drainage systems, safety installations, and other essential infrastructure. When people or businesses occupy these areas without approval, they create risks that affect everyone who uses the road.
Encroachment on road reserves has been a persistent challenge in many parts of Kenya. Some individuals put up kiosks, shops, gates, fences, or even permanent buildings without checking whether the land falls within a protected zone. Others install billboards, advertisements, or directional signs without seeking the required permission. These actions may seem harmless, but they disrupt visibility, interfere with planned construction, and make roads less safe for motorists and pedestrians.
The Kenya Roads Act of 2007 clearly outlines KeNHA’s responsibility to manage and control developments along national highways. Sections 49 and 50 give the authority power to approve, regulate, or remove any structure built within a road reserve. The law requires anyone planning to install a billboard or build anything near a highway to obtain written approval from KeNHA. Without that approval, the structure is considered illegal, regardless of whether it is temporary or permanent.
KeNHA often issues public notices reminding the public about these requirements. These notices urge people with unapproved structures or expired billboard licenses to remove them within a given timeframe. The intention is not to punish but to allow voluntary compliance. When people act within the notice period, they avoid costly confrontations, legal disputes, and financial losses.
However, if the deadline passes and the structures remain, KeNHA has no choice but to enforce the law. This may involve demolishing the illegal structures and clearing the affected areas. The authority is also allowed to recover the cost of the demolition from the owner or agent responsible. This ensures that the burden of enforcement does not fall on taxpayers.
Unauthorized billboards and roadside businesses create more problems than many people realize. They can block drivers’ vision, distract motorists, or hide official road signs. Some structures sit on spaces reserved for drainage, which can lead to flooding and damage to the road. By removing these installations, KeNHA works to protect road users and preserve the condition of national highways.
This issue also highlights how important planning and public awareness are for the country’s development. Road reserves exist for a purpose, and respecting them ensures that future projects can take place without unnecessary delays or conflict. When citizens and businesses understand these boundaries, they avoid the frustration of losing investments built in restricted areas.
KeNHA remains committed to protecting road reserves because they are crucial to the country’s transport network. By enforcing the law and encouraging compliance, the authority helps safeguard public assets and uphold the safety of all road users. Everyone has a role in protecting these spaces and ensuring that Kenya’s highways remain safe, functional, and ready for future growth.
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